Reprogram (Hunger Games Cato/OC)

Chapter 2

Reprogram 2

I wasn't one who had the patience to set traps and snares. I hunted quickly, and mercifully. I stood completely still in the woods, waiting for the game to show itself. Gradually, the forest came alive around me. Birds sang in the trees, invisible creatures scuttled along the ground, and larger animals watched me from bushes.

A fox ran out across my path, and froze, seeing me. It was too late for the animal, however. I flicked the knife into its tail, all the way through to the forest floor below. It yelped in pain, and I ran over to it, grabbing its scruff. I yanked the knife out and stabbed it in the eye, silencing its cries. The forest was silent once more. It came alive slower this time because the animals were warier of me. This time, a rabbit loped across my path, and I struck it in the eye.

Picking up my victims, I went back to the cave. Outside, I skinned the animals and let their blood drain. I made a fire in the open-- let the tributes be attracted! I was ready to kill something, especially after what Cato said to me. It annoyed me to no end that what he said was true. He could get me at any time, and I was particularly vulnerable without my axe. I squirmed a bit and ducked into the cave to grab my axe.

When I got back out, the game was done, and there was a fire in the sky. I quickly doused the fire and hid the game in the cave as I ran towards the fire. My face split into a wide grin. I felt stress on my shoulder and realized the knife was still in it. I'd take care of that back at camp. I emerged into a clearing with a tribute and a fire. It was the girl from 6, I think. I crept across the clearing, seeing her back was to me. She turned around suddenly, gasping at me. My face was shrouded in shadows, and the fire illuminated only certain parts of my face, giving it a really eerie effect.

"Oh, my gosh!" She gasped. "You scared me." I pulled my axe into view.

"Don't let your guard down yet." She gasped and got up, turning to run. I hurled the axe at the back of her thighs. It stuck fast and she cried out. I was very aware the Careers would be arriving at any minute. I had to make this a quick death, luckily enough for her. I pulled the axe from her legs, but she stayed face-down on the ground. I dragged the axe teasingly down her leg, not breaking the skin. When I got to her Achilles' tendon, I brought the axe up and severed it. She screamed loudly in obvious agony, and I severed the other one. She writhed on the ground, and I sliced through her clothes, leaving a deep number seven on her back. She wailed about, thrashing and yelling. I flipped her over and carved a seven in her chest, and not long after, heard her cannon. I flipped her back over as I heard crashing footsteps through the woods and quickly hid as the Careers I'd been anticipating crashed into the clearing. Wow, they had no stealth.

The sun receded behind the trees, leaving us in darkness as I watched them pace around her body. "What? How did someone beat us here?" Clove, the black-haired girl, raged. The blonde girl shook her head.

"I needed to kill someone!" Cato snarled and bent down by her body. He dipped a finger into the blood pooling from the 7.

"Fresh," he noted. "The killer can't be far." The other boy looked at her from the perfect angle to see my seven.

"She's from District 7," he said. Cato jumped to his feet.

"No, she's not!" He flipped her over so he could see her face. He looked relieved when he saw it wasn't me. But why?

"Then why is there a seven on her body?"

"I'm telling you, it's not her, Marvel!"

"Marvel's right, though. She has a seven," the blonde girl said.

"Glimmer, she isn't!" Cato insisted.

"Look, Cato," Clove urged. He reluctantly did. "It's a signature. The boy from seven?" Cato's eyes darkened.